Traditional Psychotherapy, particularly the Jungian branches, posits that there are deep linkages between violence and sexuality. Many individuals find that any degree of sexual arousal associated with dominance/submission or pain is more disturbing than they can handle. This is because of profound fears of loss of control. Therefore they will attempt to supress any associations that remotely involve BDSM. In reality, most of the population has, at certain levels, dominance/submission, sado-masochistic fantasies. These are usually revealed only during long term insight psychotherapy. As Psch changes from a field dominated by Insight Psychotherapy to a field dominated by Psychopharmacology this realization is being lost.

As we mature in our adult sexuality we begin to realize that our fantasies will not rule our lives. We can enjoy and take pleasure in our fantasies and use them to make our sexual relationships more exciting but we and not our fantasies are in control of our lives.

In our mind and in our writing we may posit terrible worlds filled with rape and torture (or the chastisement of subjugated females) but we don't act these fantasies out in the "real world" of commerce and education. We may stimulate our sex lives with some interesting games but we do not assault strangers on the street and make them subject to our desires. We are adults.

This complexity and nuance of our underlying biological urges is repugnant to people who feel that their lives are barely under control as is. If you have ever been flogged by a nun you will understand what I mean.